When Jesus told his disciple I saw Satan Fell like Lightning.

It kinda struck me about Him being the serpent so fast in the garden of Eden.

Just after the creation, or so it seems and Ezekial is whole narration of events that takes time to happen.

I've understand from theologians about Genesis 1, when God created the world in 7 days. The word day may not represent 24 hours but an interval of time.

That 1 day could have represented a long period of time.

Just my 2 cents.

Of course He didn't see it come to pass in his life time because When God says He will bless Abraham's descendant, logically all his descendants will be after his life time. You've forgotten that God has limited man's life span on earth?

In the same passage Sarah receive her promise of her son by Faith while still alive. By Faith the wall of Jericho Fell at the witness of the people who marched and they saw it with their physical eyes. What say you dear brother?

Yes the passage in 27 to 29 explains when God protects all of his children no one neither human nor the forces of darkness is able to destroy his life, hence the passage about the theif (satan) comes to kill steal and destroy.

Study the book of Job, it's a good example to relate John 10:10

In verse 9-10. Satan complained to God that he's not able to attack Job because God protect him with his favor.



Job is a very rich Man. if God does not favor abundance for his children, Job should be recorded as one of the poorest Man in history.

Did you know God bless and favors Abraham with wealth as well? Genesis 13:2 and Genesis 20:14-15.

There are so many Bible passages about God prospering his own people, so how can you say otherwise?

I'm implore you. Do not be deceive by the Lies of the Enemy. Ask God yourself if you don't believe.

Peace.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Apr 17 2012, 01:14 PM

God is the vindicator of the poor, oppressed and afflicted.

He protects his own.

He's just saying He knows their affliction and poverty, He didn't say He desires them to be in affliction and poverty.

Unless you're hinting something else.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Apr 17 2012, 01:06 PM

Somehow I knew you'll be misinterpreting Faith as part of seeing. lol.

I did mentioned the word in due time. It's there.

The part of seeing it happened is the result of God answering your prayers in Faith. Go read again even in the previous posts.

I did mentioned Sarah, I did mentioned Jericho as an example. How is it you miss this and didn't refute?
Didn't she witness the birth of her child in old age as the result of her Faith in God?
I'm pretty sure her eyes were fine when she cuddled her baby.

I quoted Job because it's relevant. The Book of Job clearly explains what it means when the thief come to kill steal and destroy because that is exactly what happened when our Lord allows Satan to test him. But God prosper him doubled after that.

The Bible must be understood from the entire Book and not just one passage because it's all connected.

Not unless you're hinting the Bible contradict it's meaning between each other and doesn't support each other.

This word “abundant” in the Greek is perisson, meaning “exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, a quantity so abundant as to be considerably more than what one would expect or anticipate.”

That is celebration of Life. It is not conclusively to material wealth alone but health, divine favour, eternal life etc But never the less, Wealth is included.

You cannot celebrate Life being sick all the time, You cannot have an abundance of life in poverty. You cannot have help others in need when you have nothing to offer.

I stand with fervent believe that God wants to bless our lives with all that I've mentioned because our God is a good God. And the Bible scripture supports it.

You cannot discount Job and quote Smryna to support your understanding. My reason being, Not all churches are in poverty.

So how can you say by that one account, it means that is God's will?

Please understanding Wealth or money is not evil. It's the love of money that is evil.

You are in erroneous understanding to say God wants you to be dirt poor. That is what the Devil wants, Not God.

Never the less just because there are Christians who are poor does not mean it's a sign their faith is weak.

It only means their understanding of God and the Life God wants you to have are misunderstood.

But the truth is, God's desire for you to be wealthy is all over in the Bible, if you spend time reading, it's there.

The Last part, yes some of the things we do not see it in our lifetime, it doesn't mean all the things we ask for in prayer will not come in our life time because evidently even in my own life, it did come and I saw it.

That is my testimony.

I'm just saying it's a possibility. I'm not in conclusive opinion on this.

Because you must understand in the Book of Matthew in the genealogy of Jesus all the way back to Adam, theologians have calculated the period to be only in thousands of years old.

That's where the young earth creationist camp is in heated debate with Science of stamping time claiming billions of years.

What do you think?

LOL, so much intensity, you do not have much peace in this, do you? I'll pray for you.

Due time means when God answer your prayers and the answer arrived, that is due time.

In the beginning, you don't see it happen by sight but that where your faith carry you, but when the answer arrive, you will see it with your eyes. lol, I don't know how to make this anymore simple.

I give praise to God that in his grace He answered my prayers and I saw it come to pass with my eyes. There, you cannot refute that.

One of the promises God made to Abraham is that through his seed, God will make a nation. Of course Abraham didn't see it come to pass because He died of old age. But God did kept his promise, it was answered despite Abraham not in the picture of witnessing that.

You seem to give this idea that Abraham is the conclusive evidence that whatever you pray for in Faith shall not come to pass. That is wrong teaching and wrong understanding.

Another example,

Abraham and Sarah bore a child in their old age and Abraham believe despite the old age barrier. That is his Faith and in due time, Abraham and Sarah saw their Child birth came. Again the Bible scripture speaks of this. you cannot refute this either.

I beg to differ, Material prosperity is given because of God's grace and because of your Faith. To put it more elegantly, Healing, Health, Divine Favors, Deliverance, Eternal Life etc are ALL because of God's grace and because you have Faith.

Faith substantiate the unseen world. That's the meaning of Hebrews 11:1.

Wealth and prosperity is really a taboo subject for some. I don't blame them, because I've reiterate before, money or wealth is not evil, it's the love of money that is evil and Some people just cannot handle money. They will shift their focus too much on that and leave God. Well I don't blame you, you must have this presumption on other people when you don't really understand what I'm saying. That is akin to judging.

But if notice in all my devotion, I emphasize that all your providence comes from God, no where else. If you have a close walk with God, soon enough you will realize God wants the best for you in Life.

That really open up John 10:10 for me. When you study in depth there are many verse including the one you just quoted. (1Cor 8:9)

Celebration of life begins the moment you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God ask us to live in the NOW, not in the future. That is why He say not to worry about tomorrow.

It's evident too in the way you put forth your argument. You seem to be doing it in irritated anger, well I could be wrong.

Because people who don't have the joy or peace (abundance of life) gets angry easily over disputes. Why? Because they don't have much to go for in life. It's like drag drag drag, Oh God when Can I go to Heaven and enjoy my life.

To me that sounds really like a defeated Life rather than a Victorious (more than Champions) life as in the Scripture.

God wants us to have an abundance of Life so that We can help others. Because really one of the roots of being a christian is to love other and help others.

If you're thinking celebration of life only start when you go to Heaven, well up to you, IF that is what you believe in.

You can show me all the verses about poverty, But it doesn't relate to what you're trying to emphasize.

I didn't say it's wrong to be in poverty, I'm just saying many Christian misunderstand God about wealth and prosperity. They think it's God's will that they should be poor, in lack and poverty when the scripture clearly shows otherwise. It's nothing wrong to be in poverty but I believe it's wrong to pursue poverty.

Here I'll use back the one you quoted.



How is it you're going to refute that? If you're saying God meant spiritual or Eternal Life (richness) then how can God be poor in Spiritual poverty or weak in Eternal Life on the poor part of the verse? That's impossible. God is full of life and full of Spirit and Here God is talking about Material Wealth.

I'll be curious how you're going to swing this to your argument.


On the Church of Macedonia, Yes they were in poverty but just like the one in Symra, they are in a stage of poverty. Nothing indicating that God wants them that way.

I need to correct you, Matthew 16 is not talking about Material Wealth. It's talking about the lust of Material Wealth and all things of the world, cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does. (1 John 2:16)

Well that's what I'm saying, I have my doubts as well on the way Carbon Dating is done.

Truth to be told I think the key lies in the original Hebrew text of the meaning of Day in Genesis, that could help.

Because the word Yom means a few things.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Apr 17 2012, 08:00 PM

Same thing that will messed up your mind about how is it that God can exist before the existence of time.

How about this?

Trinity = The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal?

Intense can get you upset because it'll thwart off your understanding in perspective. Be at peace Peace brother.
Being at peace is one of the fruit of the spirit.

I'm saying the answer to your prayer in faith when it arrive is the evident of the things you hope for coming to pass and that is when You see it happens. *

The Answered part. <----*
I repeat, the answered part.

That's why I quoted Sarah and the wall of jericho, you don't seem to understand.

BTW don't tell me, None of your prayers ever get answered? If indeed your prayers are answered, how is it you don't see it happen? I see mine happening when it's answered.

Do you see the difference of what you understood and what I'm trying to point here?

Sight of fulfilment is the end result.

I believe you are confuse on the part when your prayers is answered then you see it with your eye with Faith need sight.

The Lexicon explains that euodousthai is to help on the road, i.e. (passively) succeed in reaching; figuratively, to succeed in business affairs -- (have a) prosper(-ous journey).

Actually you're just enforcing the word Good. The actual translation of Greek is euodousthai is STILL prosperous journey.
Question is, if you insist it's a wish of a journey, my question is, journey to where? No doubt you can say it's a form of greeting in general but it wouldn't make sense because Gaius wasn't going anywhere at the point of greeting. Therefore it is really a form of general greeting wishing you a prosperous journey in life which is which is similar to wishing you prosperous in Life.

As I said before, All Scripture is God inspired. Even introduction greetings is God's messages reaching out to you through the pen stroke of the writer.

You're welcome to argue this but I don't see it'll get you anywhere. The definition is explained clearly here.

Yes I know it's temporal, but still the word abundance is perissos which means xceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, advantage, exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, vehement(-ly).

Oh Of course I do look forward, but it doesn't mean in the mean time I can't live an abundance life while on Earth.

The new Life starts now as you agreed. When Jesus died on the Cross, He reconciled Man back to God which also means ALL of God's blessing has been reconciled to you as well (2 Peter 1:3)

It is beyond just material possession and I agree it's eternal Life but You inherit all of God's blessing as a child that comes along with it, Healing, deliverance, Health, wealth, etc.

I believe the biggest problem is your understanding of the difference having Material Wealth and the Lust of Material Wealth.

This is the part you keep repeating in cycle and I keep answering in kind hoping you would understand.


I know the word poverty is there in the Bible but you need to have a balance view where God wants to bless you with Material Wealth is scripture supported.

Yes without Faith nobody can please God.
I believe you don't understand. It's not whether you are poor or rich that please God.
You can be poor and still please God and you can be rich and still please God.
What pleases God is your faith in Him and you obey his commands to love others not whether you're poor in stature or rich in stature.
You're focusing very much that only in poverty, God is pleased with you.
Why do I get the feeling that in your mind, having Material wealth is wrong?


I've already mentioned just above the word perrisos in John 10:10 would contradicts the meaning of abundant life because if we were to go along of your line of thought, it would mean abundance of life of being poor.

Because you're the one who keep pushing about warnings about material wealth than commendations.

Look at this verse again.



You focus on poor but you seem to ignore the last part, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

I told you before, there are many verses and this verse you quoted just supported what I'm trying to tell you, that God wants you to be wealthy.

The word for Rich here in greek is plouteo which is exactly what it means, Material Wealth.

So what else you want to say about this? Shouldn't this verse be enough to satisfy all your dissatisfaction?



Yes For the church in Macedonia, it's a stage because What they're doing in giving to God out of their poverty is biblical.
Whether their Church becomes rich or not is immaterial but if you understand bible principals, It's possible that their church could have become rich after that, you know why? The principal of Luke 6:38 explains why.

As for the Church in symra, the application of Faith is about long suffering. Yes I agree that God commends them for such dedicated affirmation but what I'm trying to say is, If only they knew that God wants them to be richly blessed as well, they can subscribe to it.
No where did the scripture says God wants them to be poor.

Not only the Church of Laodicea but anyone who lust after Material Wealth will get warning from God.

Tell me if you understand this. Because I've repeat this in my previous post so many time.

Which is exactly what I said





Already explained all above.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Apr 18 2012, 01:27 AM

Not at all, it's the same, check back what I posted. It's your comprehension that's changing,


You can witness your answered prayer when it arrive.
For example. You pray for a sum of money to pay off xxx reason.
Somehow God answered and you see the money comes in.
That is the sight you see.


I've already highlighted the part where you seeing the result is the end result of your Faith. This is the part you have problem understanding.
Nobody is disputing bold part in your question. I'm familiar with how Faith works. I live my life by Faith. You are throwing questions which is in different understanding to what I post, you can check back all my quotes for confirmation.

It's like this, you keep on harping on you need sight in order for Faith to Work. <--you are contending this but it's not what I'm saying.
I keep on explaining, Sight is the part you see when your prayers are answered which means something else.



Try and understand more below about Faith

Consider the following verse.




When you pray for a need to God, the scripture says According to your faith will it be done to you. What this basically means if you expect not to receive it, then you won't. If you expect to receive, you will. In other word, you need to have an expectation of seeing it fulfilled by Faith, even though you don't see it now. I'm not talking about your physical eye, I'm talking about your spiritual eye of Faith which is really your mind.

Why I quote 2 Corinthians 1:20 is to tell you can confidently come to God and expect a Yes in answer to your prayers.

I hope these 2 verses help you to understand better.

Nothing to retract, forgive me but I think you should try and read again on post to have better understanding.
You can pull out every of my quote and by God's grace I will be able to answer you.

There's no error of interpretation neither it's stretched.
You can check the Greek lexicon. It is in context. It's only your error of understanding that lead you to repeat your questions.
You agree the scripture is divinely inspired and 2 Timothy 3:16 says All Scripture is inspired by God. ALL means ALL scripture.
It can be used for encouragement and spiritual understanding of God.
Wrong. The scripture of the Bible is not conclusive to only the apostle time. It apply to current and future. It applies anytime.
I agree that word prosper is not only conclusive to material wealth alone, it encompass in all successful undertakings of whatever you do.
But never the less when I mentioned that God wants you to think prosperity Life, Immediately you quote in context of Material Wealth in Post #1498
and start to argue everything out of proportion.
If you check the dictionary the word prosperity is the state of flourishing, thriving, good fortune and / or successful social status.

Tell me again if I misinterpret the scripture or you have comprehension problem? Check the dictionary of the meaning prosperity
The reason why I mentioned material wealth is included because it can be included along with other Blessings.

3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper in business
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper in Life
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper in Material Wealth
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper in Relationship
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper in etc etc etc.

That is general well wishing in prosperity. Our God is a good God.


You already answered your own question above. It is spiritual blessings.
Just to correct you, Jesus death on the cross is also a physical act.
He absorbed all of God's judgement and wrath through physical punishment to atone for the sins of Mankind.

Yes God impart all of his blessings through Christ Jesus in this life.








1 John 4:17 is the key to the answer.

Jesus has gone up to the heavenly realm to be with the Father. Jesus is now glorified, full of grace, power and majesty.
In him there is no sickness, there's no poverty, no sin, no death, etc. 1 John 4:17 says, Just as Jesus is, so are we in this world. Take note it's in this Earthly realm, this world, no other world.

Because We are in Christ Jesus, just as He is without poverty but Rich, without Disease but Healthy, without Sin, without Death but life, etc.
So are we in this manner.

That is why our Heavenly Father could impart all of his blessings to us as in Ephesians 1:3 and 2 Peter 1:3. because of the restoration.

As to your question why we die? Our Physical Body will die a natural death because God has limited our life span. (Genesis 6:3)

It does not relate in the way you said it.

At the same time, Our spirit which is eternal cannot die. We have been granted Eternal Life in Christ Jesus.

You are right in saying we should have no sickness. That is our inherited right as Children of God. But why is it Christians still get sickness?

Because our mind is still in the old way of thinking**. Our Old Flesh Carnal Nature is attuned to death in Sin.

The Scripture says Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)

That is why (Ephesians 4:24) says to put on the New Life. You have access to all of God's Blessing including Healing.

You can quote Isaiah 53:4–5, Isaiah 53:5 , 1 Peter 2:24, Exodus 15:26 to name a few

Well, maybe I can ask you, what is it you want to know about Godliness?


The idea of God wants you to be wealthy is not nonsense. It is scripture supported, feel free to browse through the verses below.

Go Check in the dictionary meaning of Eternal and Abundance with regards to John 10:10.

Once you understand the difference, you'll see John 10:10 meaning of abundance is in line with the scripture below as well.
*
Deuteronomy 8:18
2 Corinthians 8:9
Deuteronomy 28:8
Proverbs 3:9–10
Deuteronomy 28:3–6
Deuteronomy 7:14
Proverbs 10:22
Philippians 4:19
Luke 6:38
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
3 John 1:2
Matthew 7:11
Deuteronomy 28:12–13

the strongest supported scripture is 2 Corinthians 8:9 Read the Greek Translation of the meaning Rich.


The passage about Macedonian Church is much related to Luke 6:38.

It's talking about generosity. Give and it will be given unto you.

And the verse 2 Corinthians 8:9 is a promise and blessing to all Believers of Christ, not just in this context.

The same thing with John 10:10 is applied to all Believers of Christ, not just in it's passage context.


Well I was entertaining your question whether they got rich or not. I quote Luke 6:38 because that's what they did in verse 2 Corinthians 8:3.


I never said God is wrong to commend them in their persistence long suffering. You're just putting this into my mouth.

Why God Call them rich? Well because God is the vindicator to all of his children. He upholds those who are afflicted.

He commends them because they are faithful until the end NOT because they are poor.

Know the distinction.


To summarise since you have taken me on a long and winding journey

You said: God wants you to be wealthy amny time now. (thats a doctrine) - proven with the scriptures above*.

i said: God commends both Macedonia and Smryna who were poor, for their faith. - Correct! for their faith, NOT because they were poor.
Jesus became poor.

i said: Whether poor or rich, faith is not dependant on these states of material well being. - Correct and I also don't what you're trying to imply here against what I've said

You said christians Misunderstood God about wealth and prosperity. - Correct. Already explained above. Check **

Iterating this: Jesus, Macedonia and Smryna misunderstood God. Only Macedonia and Smryna. Check **

YET God commends them for their POVERTY. - Wrong. God commend them for being Faithful.
YET Jesus became POOR. Afterall Jesus led by example. - So that you can be Rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9



Jesus is one with the Father. Jesus was the one who gave the verses *
He is in favor of prospering you.

Read those verse.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Apr 18 2012, 05:39 PM

I like this example.

First of all my devotion is open to all.
I don't force anyone to agree with me.
You're the one who got paranoid thinking I'm trying to change the scripture,
but people who have better discernment or comprehension would know I'm not.

You should certainly take the initiative to try read again and again if you think something is amiss.
I don't know if you're the type of reader who rush through impatiently but based on your repeated questions,
I have to assumed you are that type.

Because I've already highlighted the part where you seeing the result is the end result of your Faith not the beginning.
You definitely have to see your answered prayers with your eyes unless you're physically blind.
It doesn't get any easier to summarise this, If you're still adamant, use the dictionary and check what's the definition of end result.

Do you know the point God wanted to make when Abraham was commended for his Faith even though He didn't see it happen in his life time (Hebrews 11:29)?
The reason is this, Abraham was commended by God because He held on believing He'll receive the promise even until his death.
That is the attitude God wants every believer to have. This attitude coincides with what I posted about

2 Corinthians 1:20
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God..

Matthew 9:29
According to your faith will it be done to you

Secondly learn and understand this.
There's nothing wrong with prosperity teaching as long as you understand everything you achieved,
every money that you have, every skills, talent and ability, every source of your Life comes from God (John 15:5, Deuteronomy 8:18, Philippians 4:19, etc)
and you don't seek after it to the point you lose focus on seeking God.(Matthew 6:33)
New Age prosperity teaching by pass the Cross and focus too much on prosperity. That is wrong. I am well aware of what you're tying to point here.


2 Timothy 3:16 says All Scripture is inspired by God or God breath in some translation.
It didn't say only certain part of the Bible or only the New Testament is.
Hebrews 4:12 Says the word of God is Alive, Living, Active and Powerful.
John 6:63 Says the word of God is Spirit and Life.

This means Every Book in the Bible, from Genesis all the way to Revelation is God inspired. Every part of the book would include Deuteronomy.
You can basically meditate the scripture from Genesis and to Revelation and by God's grace, He will speak to you.

I did not stretch or add anything into the scriptures. It says exactly what it is, that God is indeed in favour of prospering you.

Deuteronomy 8:18
But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Deuteronomy 28:8
The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

Deuteronomy 15:10
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Proverbs 3:9–10
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

If you're going to fall back into denial, refer to 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12 and John 6:63.


What has Jesus becoming poor has got to do with both Macedonia and Smryna?

*
Jesus understood perfectly. He became poor so that through His sacrifice on the cross, He reconciled us back to God so that our Heavenly Father can reach to us and bless us with every blessing which include Material wealth, that's the meaning of the last part we become Rich.

Read the entire passage.

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.


Macedonia is made know in the scripture for giving beyond what they have as you can see from the verse below.
This is about their generosity, not their poverty.
Even the NIV translation put the header Generosity in the Bible.
I feel that Macedonia is irrelevant to support your opinion. Look at the word below "I testify". That is the focus.

Smyra is an event in the future yet to happen. The Scripture tells us that they're going through some kind of affliction and their poverty is somehow related. The word Rich according to Barnes Note relates to God's favour and grace. Here if you study the scripture, God is acknowledging their (2) conditions. 1. Affliction 2. Poverty.

According to online dictionary the meaning of commend

to present, mention, or praise as worthy of confidence, notice, kindness, etc.

I believe you're hinting towards praise. But if you study the NIV translation below, Jesus says I know, He did say I praise your poverty. Again, I don't see how you're using this to support your preposition.



So what do you think?

Irrelevant. Jesus becoming poor has nothing to do with Macedonia and Smryna. As explained above.

The "whatever reason" is important because that is what complete the meaning of 2 Corinthians 8:9. Otherwise you'll be quoting scripture out of context as you so evidently accuse me of.


Correct.


I've already explain above, the word commend is not suited because Jesus did not PRAISE (assuming that's what you meant). He acknowledge their poverty


This is a matter of misunderstanding principal. Nothing to do with pleasing God.

You quote the part of Jesus being poor out of context. 2 Corinthians 8:9 never even mention about asking you as the believer to be poor and to follow as an example Because there are many things Jesus did by example and He asked us to follow. A good reference would be when He washed the disciple's feet. If we were to agree with your line of reasoning, then by Jesus walking on the water, We should give a try too? Common, have better sense.

Nope God is RIGHT to commend Smyra for their Faith.



Well if you think it's full of holes, I welcome your refuting points with better explanation,
don't just resort to just accusing, saying bad things about me and ask open ended questions which lead readers wondering what you're trying to say.

Already explained above and before and before, you go figure.

Which you rightly should.



Notice the word there has? It didn't say will have.
Unless you don't believe, then I can't blame you.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Apr 20 2012, 12:35 AM

Well nothing surprising, Ibrahim Ali even said Ambiga is the Anti-Christ for Islam.

* uncontrollable laughter.

Daily Battlefield.



Becoming a Christian is not a one time affair where you confess the sinners prayer and that's it.

It's a daily affair of learning and in that learning is the wonderful process of growing.

Every New Day means New Challenges and New Experiences.


Many Christians still live in defeated old way of life because they don't know they're suppose to deny themselves on a daily basis.
This denying of self here means denying your old carnal nature to speak out or act.
Our old sin-state of mind are shaped from young to the core values of the world system.

James 4:4 says If you rather affiliate yourself with worldly values, you resist God and without God in your life, there's nothing much you can do to live a victorious Life.

Old Sinful nature can only lead to defeat and destruction. (Galatians 6:8)

The world system teaches you everything the opposite of the Truth.

To worry, To have Fear, To be Selfish, To Hate, unhealthy Pride, To Look Down on others, Causing Strife, Hurting Others, etc.


The list is endless.


In the same passage, Jesus says to take up our own cross daily. It's interesting why God mentions our cross rather than His cross.
I asked God what it means, it's been impressed upon my heart that to take up our cross simply means we must make a determination
to put to death our old self because nobody is going to do this for us. Not your Family, Not your Aunt, God is not going to do this for you.
You have to do this for you.

Dear Brothers n Sisters. In essence what Luke 9:23 is saying,

1. Deny Yourself
2. put to Death the old Carnal nature
3. Follow Jesus.

3 Simple steps.


Last Step Follow Jesus. Follow his command.

Follow Daily.

God Bless.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Apr 21 2012, 10:05 PM

Peace is one aspect but it won't be enough.

Hi 11c,

I think you have to get down to the ground to a decision.

Either you're going to trust God to provide for you (Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.)

or

you're going to trust your fear to overcome you.


Choose this day who you will serve.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Apr 21 2012, 10:08 PM

The word there will represent the future, after the Bible.
And indeed it has come. Do not believe it, God has warned us in advance.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Apr 21 2012, 10:35 PM

Spending Quiet Time with God.





One of the thing I notice about Jesus, is that He spend a lot of time praying to the Father in solitude. (Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12)
I believe Jesus did not leave this impression without a divine purpose. There are a few key areas we should take note.

1. Lonely places
2. Solitude
3. Time
4. Dedication


One of the key reasons why Jesus ministry was so Powerful and Effective is that He spend more time in prayer than anything else.
When He speak Healing, People got Healed, He cast out powerful demons effortlessly, He could raised the dead, Gave Sight to the Blind, Make the lame walk, etc.

You might want to tell me He could do all these thing because He's the son of God. I would agree with you. But the Scripture says.
Jesus came in the Flesh (John 1:14, Philippians 2:7) That means at the beginning from Child, He's very human just like you and me without any supernatural power. The scripture says in

According to many theologians, Jesus ministry began his ministry at about the age of 30. The Bible does not fill us in much of Jesus childhood life but I believe He spend much time with the Father to be left as an example. Here's a clue why. James 1:5 Says Wisdom comes from God. Throughout the life of Jesus Ministry, He could refute all the Law experts and teachers with wisdom and people was amazed.

Lets look at the significance of key areas mentioned above.

1. Lonely places. This is important because when you spend time with God, it's important not to be distracted or interrupted. Locking yourself in a comfortable room is sufficed. You don't really need to go to mountain tops or caves.

2. Solitude. Why you must spend your time alone with God is important because Prayer is a 2 way communicative between you and God. It's not 1 way. You would need some personal space without people knowing your tears, hurts, laughter, etc. It could be an embarrassment or discomfort for some people to disclose their personal secrets. But God is honoured when you come before in all honesty without any defensive wall to hide yourself.

3. Time. The scripture says Jesus pray often in solitude. We should spend time with God everyday and every moment that's possible.

4. Dedication. Spending quiet time with God takes discipline and dedication. Mark 1:35 tell us Jesus got early in the morning while it is still dark to pray. Jesus did this when many would rather still sleep. It's great dedication. Now waking up early 6am to pray may not be everyone's cup of tea but the impression that Jesus gave here is that we should at least dedicate ourselves to spend time with God once every day.

Well I hope this helps. Spending quiet time with God is worth it because God will unveil himself before you with all the knowledge and answers that you seek. ALL of your life problems can be solved and will be solved as you give God your undivided attention.

God Bless.

Living in Victory



At the finished work of the Cross, Jesus reconciled us back to God where we are back again in dominion as Adam was suppose to have (Genesis 1:28).
All of God's Blessings, Healing, Providence, Favours which can be summed as God's grace (Romans 5:17 ) is ours because through the blood that was shed we become joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17, Galatians 3:29).

It would be great to be an heir of powerful and rich people like Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, all of your life's financial problem would be more than solved isn't it? The Bible says we are heirs to to someone more powerful and more majestic and If you don't mind, more gloriously richer than all the Richest and powerful man combine.

But If this is true, you might ask, why then am I still living in defeated Life? My Life is still a mess, constantly emotional unstable, angry, I got this problem, that problem, mountains of debt, loans, credit cards, things are against me, the world mistreat me unfair etc etc.

My answer is this. All of us came from defeated position in life of sin. Our mind was conditioned to believe that kind of environment. Well who actually gave us this type of defeated position? John 10:10 (The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy).

So what's the solution then? Praise be to God, it's in the same Passage of

.

Jesus came so that we have eternal Life and a victorious Life. It is not enough to have Eternal life but still live a defeated miserable Life on Earth, God wants you to have Eternal Life and Live a victorious Life.

Well how do you do this? How do you have a victorious life through God?

You can ground yourself in victory by knowing only 3 important things.

1. Know that God Loves you (Romans 8:37, 1 John 4:16, Romans 5:5). If God Loves you then
2. God is for you and on your side not against you. (Romans 8:31)
3. Nothing can defeat God (Jeremiah 32:27)

Once this is deep rooted in your soul,

Declare the Truth of God's promises over each and every of your circumstance and Believe in Faith and Live like it.

There are many of God's promises. I have highlighted some of them in my previous devotions.

If you need help and can't find it, post to me, I will help you.


Well I hope this will help in your Life.


God Bless.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Apr 23 2012, 10:54 PM

It's all been answered. Smyra, Macedonia, Jesus, exegesis full of holes, Material Wealth, Blessings.

Exact repeat questions shows either:


1. You didn't bother to read or
2. You don't understand


If you did understand, then refute the new points. Repeating your old questions will only entitle to the old answers in kind.
if you're saying that's not the answer you want to hear, then there we have it, the problem to your demise.

What you want to hear is like saying I don't care what you have to say, I only want to hear what I want to hear.

You should try and look up the meaning of the word revelation.

The answer to all of your above REPEATED questions





Job, Abraham, Solomon Are extremely blessed in Material Wealth.
Not only them, but many Christians today, even Christian Businessman are richly blessed by God.
True enough as what you said, God is not against wealth. In fact wealth comes from God.
If God wants to bless you, why should you claim self righteous morality to defy what God wants to give?
That is pride.


Then again, there's a group of Christians are in taboo especially when it come to this topic.
Why? Simple. They lack understanding out of fear.
Everything must be Scriptural based.
God's own words in the Bible says what it says. Even if you read it 100 times, it still says what it is.





Your discernment is baseless and provocative calling others as evil. That is judgmental, hardly a trait of a Christian.

Until you come up with better explanation rather than quoting irrelevant contexts.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Apr 24 2012, 04:56 PM